NOVEL NEXT In the Beginning
1
In the beginning
Before anything ever existed, there was the immortal Great Fire made of orange-red and bluish-gold tongues entwined in such a manner that one could not tell either apart. The two were so perfectly one.
The Great Fire sang a song of love and danced. With every twirl of their enchanting dance together, the twenty-four realms of heaven were birthed, and clothed in splendor and glory. Each of the twenty-four realms was bursting with life. This is how they were all formed.
In the first twirl of their song and dance, glistening waters began to flow from the core of the Great Fire as a resplendent, glowing sea of light, fire, and splendor. Each trembling, shimmering particle of that great sea shone and reflected the light and life within the heart of its Makers. Each particle acting like a tiny prism suspended in the heavenly realms, fluid and moving effortlessly across the vast expanse. Amongst these, there were other little prisms, but these were created to absorb and store all the light that entered them for use at appointed times. They became the dark matter which are heaven’s storehouse and reservoirs of light. From these, stars would be birthed from time to time, whenever the reservoirs were filled to the brim.
In the second twirl of their song and dance, a glassy firmament appeared amidst the waters of light. This firmament spanned outwards to form a boundary between a large space that was shaped as a many-faced prism, and everything else outside of it.
In the third twirl of their embrace, three great mountains appeared on the large space. The one to the north was the tallest of all mountains and it looked as if its peaks were shimmering. It was simply called Dàshān and was near impossible to scale. Strong winds whipped its heights and caused the snow to fall upon it continuously like a million golden-silver dew drops.
The other two mountains were twins sharing the same foundation. Both were blackened cliffs, and they appeared to be cut from a single, rocky, black granite. The one to the left of one’s vision on the western side came to be called Huǒrè de bǎolěi which means Fiery Fortress. Its twin to the right of one’s vision, lying on the eastern side was called Méiguī shān which means Rose Mountain.
When these were complete, the Great Fire took the shape of an immortal being, that in appearance looked human though genderless. This being still looked fiery with flames of golden red and blue within. The immortal being wandered around all that was created with great joy and worked on building a kingdom within the many-faced prism. The three mountains were the foundations that held up everything that was being built upon them.
To the north, south, east, and west of the kingdom the immortal being created three portals each – a total of twelve. Each portal in turn opened into two realms, so that there were six realms in each of the heavenly directions – a total of twenty-four. The realms were connected to the portals through pathways of golden-blue light. One could enter any of them to explore the life they held and yet return without being lost or in danger. The journey within each realm was one of learning, adventure, and discovery. There was no end to it.
The immortal being descended on the heights of Méiguī shān and planted a beautiful rose garden there. The roses were of all kinds but predominantly deep wine maroon to shades of red. There were creeping roses, bushes, and even arching trees. The trees were also related to the rose such as cherry, apple, peach, almond and plum. When they bore blossoms, the entire garden was infused with their fragrance that wafted through the heavens. Many of these also grew right out of the clefts of the mountain so that the whole mountain looked like it was dressed in a flowing gown of black with red roses. Well pleased with what was done, the immortal being caused waterfalls to burst from the ridges around this mountain. The cascading waters sounded like beautiful worship carried into the valleys below, and into all the realms. This was a place of rest, joy, and abundant life.
There was a path of uncarved steps leading up this mountain that went straight up and not around it. This was the only way to reach the heights of Méiguī shān. Also, the only access to Huǒrè de bǎolěi was from Méiguī shān. The immortal one had created a rainbow bridge which connected these two mountains.
Huǒrè de bǎolěi was remarkably different. It had neither garden nor water. It was a dry place, but one that possessed many fiery stones. These stones lived, breathed, and spoke wonders. They declared truths and in their very midst, a swirling burst of rich color – unique to each stone, moved like a dancing flame with animated life. These stones of power were the Great Fire’s to bestow on whoever was chosen to be honored and rewarded. Additionally, the stones could bend to the will of the owners and form a lit pathway over the empty spaces, forming bridges where no path lay before.
They grew and took on the shape of whatever was needed – weapon or tool, ornament or things of power in the heavens where everything lived. At that time, weapons were not used for war but to help carry out the responsibilities of one’s rank, and for celebratory and leisure dueling. The weapons, like the stones obeyed the will of their bearers. And these stones of power – living and fiery, lay scattered in great abundance on Huǒrè de bǎolěi. It was said that from here, the word of the immortal one went forth into all the realms and echoed in the valleys below.
Then the immortal one took the golden-silver dew from the heights of Dàshān and from it crafted beings of light, called Tiānshǐ, the Dàhuǒ zhīzǐ or sons of the Great Fire. In these mighty beings, the fire of heaven burnt, and they stood like pillars of light in their appointed places. Each was given their role and robes, power and responsibility, sphere of reign, fiery stones, weapons, and fellow helpers.
Of these, five stood out among their brothers - Xióng Zhǎn known for strength, Yīng Fēng known for speed, Pèi Zhōng known for loyalty, Zhì Shēn known for wisdom, and Jiàn Shēng unparalleled in every area and greatest of all the Dàhuǒ zhīzǐ. These five were appointed as elite watchers. Xióng Zhǎn and Jiàn Shēng called Huǒrè de bǎolěi their watching area. Pèi Zhōng and Zhì Shēn guarded Méiguī shān. Yīng Fēng followed the immortal one and carried messages through the realms. While Xióng Zhǎn and Jiàn Shēng held fiery swords at their guarding post, Pèi Zhōng and Zhì Shēn held bowls of fiery incense at theirs. Anyone who crossed the threshold of their post would be bathed in the sweet fragrance which can only be described as a mix of roses, almonds, sweet red wine, and frankincense. Yīng Fēng held a horned trumpet in his hand and used it to call assemblies.
Jiàn Shēng was matchless in beauty and always splendidly dressed. His deep-set, dark eyes would draw anyone into its depths like an ocean at night with the moonlight shimmering upon it. His eyebrows were straight and jawline chiseled. He was perfect and gifted beyond all his brothers with wisdom and knowledge, dauntless and bold, well versed in all the arts of heaven. His hair was long, thick, unrestrained, and splendid black like that of a raven’s plumage. His charm was captivating, and he often hid his true strength beneath a cloak of mischief. His playfulness was known in all the realms, and none were spared of his pranks. He loved to duel with the sword, and spear. He was also a master of shooting moving targets at great distances. Even his dueling was filled with fun and laughter – he was hardly serious and still won all matches except against Xióng Zhǎn who was the only one who could match his moves and resist him. He was greatly loved and the object of admiration among all his brothers. Further, he daily walked among the fiery stones, learning from them great knowledge and truths, all kinds of skills, and things that had the power to change the worlds.
Now, each of the Dàhuǒ zhīzǐ came before the Great Fire and were personally named by them. The Great Fire knew each of them and called them by name.
After this, the Great Fire caused all kinds of fruiting and flowering plants to grow and spread from this central location in the valley of the three mountains. They would also extend into the twenty-four realms once complete. Life thrived everywhere.
At the foot of Dàshān was the place of assembly for the Dàhuǒ zhīzǐ. From this point onwards, all that was created was for them to enjoy and rule over with loving care.
In the fourth twirl of the Great Fire’s song and dance, seasons of celebration were birthed. It was appointed that whenever the fiery stones on Huǒrè de bǎolěi glittered and shone with unsurpassed splendor greater than on other days, their light reached the firmament above them and danced upon the skies. Then a beautiful tinkling of bells would be heard in all the realms as a sign for the Dàhuǒ zhīzǐ to make their way back and gather at Dàshān for times of celebration and reporting of how their work was proceeding in the realms. During these times, they would also receive rewards and tasks to accomplish.
After this, the Great Fire twirled a fifth time and the blue flame within it entered the waters and the skies of the kingdom, breathing life into them. Every cascading river, rippling brook, thundering waterfall, and wide expanse of water as well as sky burst with life in all its brilliance. In hues far more numerous than the colors of the rainbow, like iridescent jewels, in variety far greater than can ever be counted, creatures of intelligence, with souls as alive as any other were born. They were marked by purity and innocence. While they wandered wherever there was water and sky, they called the six realms in the north of the kingdom as their home and would return there to rest and thrive. Wherever they went, the night filled with their soft-colored glow as if the wind and waves were making them quiver like fine silk. These living beings gained fame for their speed, grace, and flexible elegance of motion. They were as wild as the water, and as free as the sky that they called home. They also carried gifts of healing and those who entered their realms would rest without a care.
A sixth time the Great Fire twirled in the heavens and the gold flame from it entered the glittering soil of the gardens in every realm. From them came forth living souls of all kinds, shapes, sizes, colors, and strengths. These were land beings, peaceful souls that honored one another and thrived in great herds or packs of mutual friendship. They were very quick learners, keen observers, and eager to befriend the Dàhuǒ zhīzǐ. They were curious by nature and knew no fear. These were also pure, and innocent beings and they moved freely through all the realms. But they returned to the six realms of the west, and the six of the east to rest at night. The eastern realms were inhabited by creatures that lived in herds while the ones that lived in packs dwelt in the western realms. These were soul creatures that bonded with their masters, and often one would seek out the other to be bonded to. They had peculiar habits and personalities unique to them, bringing joy to, and helping their masters.
It was a heavenly taboo to harm any of the living souls created in the fifth and sixth twirls. They are holy creatures, divine beasts, living souls.
The Great Fire chose elders from among the Dàhuǒ zhīzǐ based on their giftings to rule the twenty-four realms as their guardians. It was their responsibility to learn about all the living beings under their care and ensure they flourished in every way. They were representatives of the Great Fire in those places and taught the creatures heavenly laws and instructions. Other Tiānshǐ were assigned to assist them in this care. Work was great joy. There was unity and no quarreling, competition, nor divisions. Everyone helped one another and all the realms flourished and were blessed richly by this.
The immortal being was well pleased with all that was made and announced, “Everything is perfect and good. May all be blessed.”
Yet within the very heart of the Great Fire was a longing not just to commune mind to mind and spirit to spirit, but also face to face with an equal. There was no equal in all the realms of heaven who could mirror the Great Fire and be the other half upon whom the love of lovers could be showered. There was no one to call a confidante and most beloved.
But within the Great Fire itself two beings existed as one from the very beginning. They intimately knew each other’s heart and mind. These were at first called the Fire and his Flame. Together they were called the Great Fire which appeared merged as One to those who saw it. The masculine orange-reddish gold Fire and the feminine bluish-gold Flame, were perfect equals, confidantes – knowing each other’s thoughts and in constant communion with each other. The Lover and the Beloved, neither of whom could be separated from the other without causing an imbalance in the realms and altering in the very core of the other. They were of the same essence – triune, immortal spirits made of an outer mantle of fire and light, a core of crystal, life-giving water, and an intermediate layer of powerful wind that held the outer mantle and the core together. Until this time, they had existed dancing in each other’s embrace through all eternity past as it is the nature of fire, wind, and water to do.
Out of their great love and their desire to behold each other face to face, they went into the garden of roses on Méiguī shān. A deep sleep fell upon the Great Fire and for the first time, they ceased to dance. As they slept under the grand cherry blossom tree that grew on the heights, a rending happened the way one pulls a loaf of bread apart into two portions. The orange-red Fire and the blue-gold Flame pulled apart and took shape, away from the view of all creation.
When the process was complete, the two lay beside each other still in deep sleep. In form, they looked most closely to that of humans, but their skin was clothed in fiery splendor and light that reflected from deep within them the way light does from many facets of a perfect jewel. This time, the immortal beings bore gender qualities. He shone with the glow of golden ethereal light while she shone with that of a blue-hued ethereal light. They remained holding each other in tight embrace, with eyes shut, like twins in a womb. Then they slowly opened their eyes and beheld each other. They saw the other’s eyes first and instantly loved one another like lover’s falling in love at first sight and a smile graced their lips.
They remained in tight embrace like they did not want to lose the other even for a single moment of separation. Then they slowly arose, each mirroring the other’s actions in perfect unison – again, like twins yet different, a mirror-image of the other. They held each other’s face and traced each feature as if studying it carefully and committing it to memory. Each was so entranced by the other and so in love that neither could break away from the other’s gaze, for each was perfect in the eyes of the other. The Fire whispered in a deep and gentle voice to the Flame, “Breath of my Breath, Fire of my Fire, and Life of my Life – you are perfect and holy to Me.”
This is truth, neither of the two can be separated – life can be in balance only when they are in union. Any permanent separation will result in chaos and destruction of all the realms. Life itself will reverse and become death and decay. They must be One, whole and held together in eternal covenant even when they take separate forms. Further, chaos itself is not absolutely bad. There is a good chaos, the kind born of love that is found in the deepest joys, in the summer rain and laughter of children, the running and tumbling of kindred creatures, and the display of extravagant creativity unrestrained. She was chaos, the chaos of love. He was order. Only He could tame her chaos and only she could ignite his passion and set him in disorder. And yet, it was all love and it had in it the power to create.
That day, in the garden on the heights of Méiguī shān under the cherry blossom tree, they stood beside each other and pledged to remain in a marriage covenant of eternal love. They promised to never be separated through all eternity. They would never alter in loving the other or turn away from the other. As they beheld each other face to face, they pledged this covenant and sealed it with a lover’s kiss.
He looked into the very depth of his Beloved’s eyes and whispered, “We are one – may we never be divided,” and she responded with great joy as she agreed with him.
This is their story for in their story lies not just the hope and destiny of humanity but of all creation in all the realms itself. Their story is the story of love unsurpassed and every true love story of our mortal realm that has ever been written, imagined, or lived is therefore, only a shadow and mist of their own.